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Radiation Exposure Compensation Act

Public Law 101-426 · H.R. 2372 · 101st Congress · began in the House

Signed by George H. W. Bush (R) on Oct 15, 1990 · Health

Sponsor: Rep. Douglas Owens (D-UT-2)

Cosponsors (14): Rep. James Hansen,

Passage votes

  • HouseVoice vote
  • SenateVoice vote
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act - Establishes in the Treasury the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund for claims for injuries and death due to exposure during certain time periods to radiation from: (1) nuclear testing in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona; or (2) uranium mining in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, or Utah.

Terminates the Fund 22 years after the date of enactment of this Act.

Authorizes appropriations.

Sets forth a claims procedure for individuals who submit written medical documentation that they incurred specified diseases as a result of such exposure (including childhood leukemia). Establishes a 20-year limitation of actions period and restricts the amount of attorney's fees which may be received. Insulates the award of damages from insurance claims or payments.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report on the incidence of radiation related to moderate or severe silicosis and pneumoconiosis in uranium miners employed in specified uranium mines located off Indian reservations.

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

  • Judiciary Committee · House · markup by, referred to, reported bySubcommittee: Administrative Law and Governmental Relations Subcommittee
Data notes

A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 22 actions.

  1. Oct 15, 1990Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 101-426.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Oct 3, 1990PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. Sep 27, 1990Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
  5. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  6. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Frank moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
  7. FloorFloor · On ordering a second Agreed to without objection.
  8. FloorFloor · Mr. James demanded a second on the motion to suspend the rules.
  9. Aug 1, 1990FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
  10. FloorFloor · Amendment SP 2486 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
  11. FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
  12. Jun 5, 1990FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  13. FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
  14. FloorFloor · Mr. Frank moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  15. Apr 26, 1990CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Judiciary Committee
  16. Mar 28, 1990CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Judiciary Committee
  17. Feb 7, 1990CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Administrative Law and Governmental Relations Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee
  18. CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Administrative Law and Governmental Relations Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee
  19. Nov 8, 1989CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Administrative Law and Governmental Relations Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee
  20. May 19, 1989CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Administrative Law and Governmental Relations Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee
  21. May 16, 1989CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Judiciary Committee
  22. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes

Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.